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Jay-Z show will open Barclays Center of Brooklyn in September of 2012

Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter announced today that he will be the first performer to play the Barclays Center of Brooklyn when the venue opens in September 2012.

Speaking at a major press event on the plaza at Atlantic Terminal, overlooking the under-construction Barclays Center, JAY-Z also revealed that ownership of Brooklyn’s future NBA franchise has chosen Brooklyn Nets as the team’s name.

JAY-Z was joined on the dais by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Forest City Ratner Companies Chairman and CEO Bruce Ratner, and Barclays Center and Nets CEO Brett Yormark.

“From the moment the Barclays Center became a reality, I knew this meant something significant for Brooklyn,” said JAY-Z. “This is where I’m from, I’ll always be Brooklyn, and opening this arena will mean more to me than anywhere else. I also look forward to opening night for the Brooklyn Nets. We’re going to create an atmosphere like only Brooklyn can.”

“Brooklyn is where legends are made and dreams come true—and no one proves it more than our very own JAY-Z, a dedicated philanthropist, innovative artist, entrepreneur and cultural icon who, as a Nets investor, helped take my vision of bringing a professional basketball team to the ‘center court’ of Brooklyn and drove it in for the layup,” said Borough President Markowitz. “I am thrilled to join Bruce Ratner, FCRC, Brett Yormark, and the Nets organization today in announcing that JAY-Z will perform at the opening of the Barclays Center. As for the selection of the Brooklyn team name, was there ever any doubt? It’s ‘nothing but Nets!’”

“Who else but JAY-Z could open the Barclays Center?” said Bruce Ratner, the developer of the Barclays Center. “JAY-Z is a world icon, but more importantly, he’s Brooklyn’s icon. For the past seven years, Jay has been a great partner of mine and a true friend. It’s going to be an incredible experience next year when JAY-Z, Brooklyn’s own, takes the stage to open the Barclays Center and our vision becomes a reality.”

“We are proud to announce this highly anticipated decision to name the team the Brooklyn Nets, a choice which reflects the decades-long tradition of our team and fans, as well as the dynamic new place that will be our home,” Nets Chairman Chris Charlier said. “JAY-Z embodies the spirit of Brooklyn – its energy, guts and spirit. We are delighted our friend and partner will be opening the Barclays Center.”

“JAY-Z is truly the face of the Barclays Center and of the Brooklyn Nets,” Brett Yormark said. “There’s no better alignment than to have a world-class venue and team with a world-class entertainer.”

Boris Diaw may sign in France

Sportando reports:

As reported by 20minutes.fr, Boris Diaw is on his way to sign with JSA Bordeaux, where he is also the president. The French forward has to settle few details but his arrival in the Pro B team is almost done. His debut is scheduled for October 7th.

SIG Strasbourg is seeking the market looking for a replacement of Nicolas De Jong, out for two months with a fractured bone in his hand. The main target of the French team coached by Vincent Collet is Ian Mahinmi. The coach of the French NT confirmed the negotiation between the two parts at DNA.fr. Mahinmi won the NBA title with Dallas Mavericks in the season 2010-11.

Turns out Carmelo Anthony had knee and elbow surgery in May

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports:

Maybe the delayed training camp won’t be so bad for Carmelo Anthony.

He revealed more elements to his mysterious offseason, disclosing last night he had knee and elbow surgery simultaneously in May. Anthony disclosed the surgeries after playing 48 minutes and dropping 31 points with 17 rebounds last night at the sweaty Palestra in a lockout-inspired barnstorming-tour loss.

The Knicks never announced the procedures. Melo said he had arthroscopic surgery on the left knee and an elbow procedure, as he suffers from chronic bursitis.

“Can’t tell, can you?” Melo said after his rugged performance.

Anthony said it was the first time in his life he’s had surgery.

“I did both of them,” Anthony said. “They were bothering me seven years.”

Anthony said the procedures came at the same time.

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Jay-Z concerts to open new Nets arena; Nets will be named Brooklyn Nets

Erin Durkin of the New York Daily News reports:

Rap mogul Jay-Z will headline a series of concerts to open Brooklyn’s new Nets arena next fall – and will make it official Monday: The team will be named for his hometown.

The superstar, who owns a small piece of the soon-to-be renamed Brooklyn Nets, will perform at eight concerts to celebrate the grand opening of the arena – where all-access passes are going for up to $15,400 a season.

Jay-Z likely will be joined by his wife, Beyoncé – who by then will have given birth to the couple’s first child – at one of the shows, and will bring on a series of other performers, sources said.

Jay-Z will appear with developer Bruce Ratner and Borough President Marty Markowitz to reveal details of the shows Monday at the Prospect Heights construction site.

The Barclays Center, which is rapidly rising at Flatbush and Atlantic Aves., is set to officially open on Sept. 28, 2012, with the first concert and will have three weeks of special events before the basketball season starts.

They’ll also make it official today that the team will be named the Brooklyn Nets, sources said.

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Arizona forward Kevin Parrom stable after being shot

Diamond Leung of ESPN.com reports:

Arizona junior forward Kevin Parrom was the victim of a shooting during a trip home to New York City this weekend, the school and police confirmed Sunday.

A New York Police Department officer said the shooting followed a dispute that occurred around 1 a.m. Saturday at a residence in the Bronx. Parrom was shot once in the right leg and taken to a local hospital in stable condition after suffering gunshot wounds to his left hand and right knee, Officer Chris Pisano said.

No arrests have been made; the investigation continues.

A native of the Bronx, Parrom went home to visit his mother, who is in the hospital, Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne said in a statement.

Team Philly beats LeBron, CP3 and Team Melo in Battle of I-95 game

The AP reports:

LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul couldn’t lead their team back from a dreadful start, as Team Philly beat Melo’s stars of Baltimore 131-122 on Sunday night at the Palestra…

A sold-out crowd that greeted James with thunderous boos when he came onto the floor roared in the final minute when former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans used a series of fakes to drive into the lane for a basket that put it away at 131-119.

James had 43 points and 23 rebounds, and Anthony had 31 and 17, but Paul wasn’t in top shape in rare action during this NBA summer of inactivity. All three played all 48 minutes.

Former Villanova guard Kyle Lowry of the Rockets scored 34 points and Lou Williams of the hometown 76ers had 31 for Team Philly in what was called the “Battle of I-95.” Evans finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds…

The Melo team is based in Baltimore, but Anthony went outside his city to find James (Ohio) and Paul (North Carolina)…

Paul shot only 3 of 12 for six points and struggled to keep up with Philly’s speedsters.

Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News reports:

The atmosphere was one usually more conducive to a rock concert. Though slated to start at 6 p.m. at the Palestra, the sellout crowd patiently waited the near 45-minute delay of the “Battle of I-95.” And when it did finally get under way, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house; nor was there a dry shirt, brow or face. The old Palestra was a virtual sauna, and that was before any of the players took to the floor…

James led Team Melo with 43 points, while Anthony chipped in 31. . .Kyle Lowry had 34 and Williams 31 for Philly. . .Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson made a brief appearance and was cheered loudly by fans. . .Former Sixer guard Willie Green was sitting courtside. . .Markieff and Marcus Morris both were no-shows. They had a commitment Saturday night at Kansas. . .Super agent Leon Rose was seated at midcourt. . .The letters BBNS were on the back of both team’s shirts, standing for Basketball Never Stops.

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Kyrie Irving and Baron Davis in a budding friendship

Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

While some might view Kyrie Irving as a threat to Baron Davis’ starting role with the Cavaliers, the 32-year-old point guard seems to be embracing the youngster. They met this spring in Cleveland at Irving’s predraft workout and have remained in touch during the NBA lockout.

“[I’m] really looking forward to playing with, and mentoring, Kyrie,” said Davis in an e-mail. “He’s so talented, creative, smart, has so much potential and could become a great cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ franchise for many years to come. I’ve been talking to him a lot this summer about NBA life, and in Cleveland, he’s going to learn so much from coach [Byron] Scott, who will be a great mentor as well.”

Davis, who’s taking classes at UCLA, had a decent finish to last season after the Los Angeles Clippers shipped him and a first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon on Feb. 24. The draft pick was the lottery winner the Cavs used to select Irving.

The two-time NBA All-Star could help shepherd the teen through his first season. Davis has played and clashed with the demanding Scott during their days together in New Orleans (2004-05), but he has gained perspective on the relationship.

Kevin Durant undecided on going overseas

Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman reports:

Durant had previously stated his intentions to make a decision by Oct. 1. The erratic nature of negotiations for a ratified collective bargaining agreement, however, has thrown off Durant’s timeline.

“I’ve thought about it before and I really was close to making a decision about doing that,” Durant said of possibly signing overseas. “But I kind of stopped a little bit once I heard things were kind of moving a little better with the lockout. But one day it’s good and one day it’s bad. You never know.”

With the start of the season approaching and no imminent deal anywhere in sight, the NBA announced Friday it has postponed training camps indefinitely and cancelled 43 preseason games league-wide. The Thunder lost two of its seven scheduled preseason games.

“I was shocked. The lockout is starting to be for real now,” Durant said. “Now that they’ve canceled some preseason games and postponed training camps, people are starting to really think (a lost season) can really happen.”

Michael Jordan Steak House opens in Chicago InterContinental Hotel

Luis Gomez of the Chicago Tribune reports:

There was a Superman sighting of a different kind in downtown Chicago on Thursday.

Michael Jordan attended the grand opening of his new restaurant in the InterContinental Hotel, Michael Jordan’s Steak House, less than a mile from where “Man of Steel” recently filmed in the city. It was Jordan’s third visit to the River North restaurant since it opened in late August.

The Bulls legend was greeted by a large crowd on the sidewalk outside of the restaurant as well as fans who packed the median separating north and southbound traffic on Michigan Avenue. Once inside the private event, Jordan took a seat in a security-protected booth in the corner of the restaurant. He was later joined by his former Bulls teammate, Scottie Pippen, and Pippen’s wife and “Real Housewives of Miami” cast member, Larsa.

Kyrie Irving won’t play overseas, foot still healing

Jason LLoyd of the Akron Beacon Journal reports (via blog):

Maybe a lengthy lockout isn’t so bad for the Cavaliers after all. If nothing else, it will give rookie Kyrie Irving’s injured foot enough time to fully heal.

Irving said at his youth basketball camp Saturday that his foot feels “150 percent,” but that doctors told him it will be another few months before the foot is completely healed. NBA training camps were expected to open in about a week, but the league postponed everything following the latest breakdown in negotiations.

“My foot is not going to fully heal for a full year and it’s only been six or seven months,” Irving said. “I still feel 150 percent healthy, but my foot, in terms of healing properly, is going to take about another three months.”

By that timetable, Irving’s foot would be totally healed around Christmas. Many agents and various personnel around the league don’t believe a season will start before January, anyhow.

“It hasn’t hurt for almost seven months,” Irving said. “It’s feeling good.”

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